DERRY CITY: Former Aston Villa midfielder joins City

DERRY City manager, Kenny Shiels has softened the blow of losing influential midfielder, Barry McNamee by signing ex-Aston Villa man, Rory Hale.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Nov 2017, 09:24 BST

Updated 12th Dec 2017, 12:45 BST

The 20 year-old Belfast native is set to be officially unveiled as a Derry City player this afternoon after agreeing a one year contract.

Hale is the grandson of former Derry City striker, Danny Hale who finished as Irish League top goalscorer in the 1968/69 season after arriving from Dundalk.

By the time he left for Ards at the end of the 1970-71 year his three season Brandywell record read 100 goals!

Following his grandfather to Brandywell over 40 years later, Hale arrives on Foyleside after a spell with relegated Galway United.

The midfielder. joined the Tribesmen last August after returning from Championship outfit, Aston Villa, and while he was a key performer for Shane Keegan's men he was unable to help steer them clear of the drop zone.